If the colourful stems and foliage of dogwood on display in Cambridge took your eye, then try a national collection for size. One is at Newby Hall & Gardens, Ripon, Yorkshire, where 80 types are grown. But remember that the gardens close at the end of September.

Near Coventry, Garden Organic at Ryton have colour all year through, with a playground and willow sculptures to amuse the children. Also with children of any age in mind, there have been pumpkin carving events at the end of October at The Sir Harold Hillier Gardens and Arboretum in Hampshire. For the adults, there's a Winter Garden, as there is further north at Wallington in Northumberland.